Match Review: Manchester United vs Istanbul Basaksehir

Manchester United celebrate win over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions league

Manchester United’s 4-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir leaves the Red’s within one point of Qualification into the Round of 16.

How Did Manchester United Set Up?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to make a subtle but impactful change to the system if he wanted to avoid a similar display to the West Brom game. He made 2 changes bringing in Donny van de Beek and Edinson Cavani. Cavani camein for Juan Mata and Van de Beek replaced Nemanja Matic.

Donny van de Beek played further forward than Matic did on the weekend and Cavani played as the number 9. This meant that United set up in what looked like a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

The Team:

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David De Gea(GK), Aaron Wan-Bissaka(RB), Victor Lindelof(CB), Harry Maguire(CB), Alex Telles(LB), Fred(CDM), Donny van de Beek(CM), Bruno Fernandes(AM), Marcus Rashford(RW), Anthony Martial(LW), Edinson Cavani(ST)

Manchester United vs Istanbul Basakseir: How It Went Down

As per usual with United we came flying out of the box, but this time it seemed to sustain. Marcus Rashford had the earliest of chances using great trickery in the box but just couldn’t get his shot away. It was signs for things to come as moments later Bruno Fernandes performed his best Pauld Scholes impression. The ball dropped to the Portuguese just at the edge of the box and he smacked it into the roof of the net to make it one nil.

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United mounted the pressure, Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de beek were at the heart of things, dictating the tempo and creating chances. The pressure led to a second goal as Alex Telles found himself free on the left hand side and swung in an excelent ball which the keeper fumbled. Fernandes had made a great late run into the box and wa there to tap it in, much to the embarrassment of the Basaksehir goalkeeper.

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Istanbul Basaksehir attempted to get in the game but the likes of Fred and Donny van de beek in midfield allowed Manchester United to keep creating. In the first half the centre backs Maguire and Lindelof had a solid game. Confidence was oozing so much that a Victor Lindelof long ball found iitself being chased down by Marcus Rashford who had been given the freedom of Manchester. And not because he feeds the children this time. Rashford’s directness left Boli Bolingoli no choice but to take him down in the box leading to a penalty. Fernandes had the chance to score a uropean hat-trick for Manchester United but turned the chance down to give Rashford the oppurtunity. An oppurtunity he took well. 3-0 up at half time Manchester United were on the beach.

Second Half

As one would expect, in the second half Istanbul Basaksehir really took the game to United. Especially after United had made a half-time change due to an injury to Lindelof meaning Tuanzebe came on. He seemed rusty and a bit shaky – Demba Ba was quick to assert his experience on the young centre back, not giving him a chance to breathe.

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Solskjaer made a triple change while it was still 3-0. Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams and Daniel James were all introduced for the first half heroes Rashforda nd Fernandes. Aaron Wan-Bissaka went straight down the tunnel after being withdrawn which is never a good sign.

The changes meant that United were under more pressure with Edinson Cavani having to drop deeper and United’s defence being bombarded. Soon enough, Basaksehir had dented Manchester United’s advantage with an odd free-kick goal from Deniz Turuc in the 75th minute. With 15 to go in the game, Solskjaer’s men were under so much pressure that there was a comedic collision between Maguire and Tuanzebe that almost led to a second for Basaksehir.

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United did what they’ve done so well under Solskjaer and that is counter-attack. Donny van de Beek played a brilliant first time ball to Greenwood who then found Daniel James who finished it. A great moment for the seemingly out of favour Welshman who grabbed his first ever Champions League goal. A goal of grave importance as it saw United over the line.

Final Score: 4-1

Fernandes (x2), Rashford(P), Deniz Turuc, Daniel James

Bigger Picture

Manchester United are top of the group with only one point needed to qualify for the round of 16. The ball is in United’s court as they take on PSG at Old Trafford next week.